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After missing all but 42 games of the 2014 season due to a neck injury that required surgery, Texas Rangers first baseman/designated hitter Prince Fielder had a nice comeback season in 2015. On his way to winning American League Comeback Player of the Year, the 31 year-old hit .305 with 23 home runs, 98 RBI and a .463 slugging percentage over 158 games played.
Fielder served primarily as Texas’ designated hitter last season, with just 18 starts at first base. He had been a picture of durability prior to 2014, playing all 162 games in four of the previous five seasons and at least 157 games each season from 2006-2013, but it’s safe to say Fielder’s physical build is not built to last as he enters his 30’s.
Nothing appears imminent, but Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News suggests the Rangers may be looking to trade Fielder.
Hearing Rangers surveying clubs’ interest in picking up bulk of Fielder’s contract. Not getting much response
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) December 8, 2015
A big part of any appeal, or lack thereof, that Fielder would have to other teams is tied to a significant financial commitment. He is under contract for $120 million over the next five seasons, though the Detroit Tigers are on the hook for $30 million of that as part of the deal that sent Fielder to Texas in November of 2013. So it makes perfect sense, as Grant suggests, that the Rangers aren’t getting much response to any inquiries about Fielder.
2020 is the final year of Fielder’s contract, and he will turn 36 during that season. American League teams could see value in Fielder as he ages, with the ability to use him as a DH, but it’s hard to see the Rangers finding a team willing to take on most of the $90 million he would be due from them over the next five seasons.
Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
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